Lady Saints marching along with 11-0 start
Published 12:00 am Friday, December 12, 2003
It hasn’t taken long for coach Anthony Harris and his second-ranked Selma High Lady Saints to turn some heads this basketball season.
They’ve shown a killer instinct and a take-no prisoners attitude as they’ve blazed their way to an 11-0 start before tonight’s game at Prattville.
Loaded with talent and a deep bench, these Lady Saints could go marching all the way to the state title game.
“This squad has always had some talent,” the first-year coach said. “They already knew what they had, we’re just driving them really hard.”
With Harris’ foot firmly on the gas pedal, the Saints don’t plan to let up anytime soon.
“We’ve talked about goals; area, sub-region and region,” he said. “You’ve got to set goals, you’ve got to have big eyes.”
One of the things that helps Harris set the bar so high is the depth of talent at his disposal.
On any given night, one of several Lady Saints could step up to lead.
“We have a slew of young ladies that can get the job done,” the coach said. “We’ve got about four people in double figures for the season. That ball’s big enough to go around to everybody every night.
We have four or five girls that can step up and lead us.”
Santana Seay is one of the reasons for the Saints’ fast start.
The silky-smooth guard has dominated in the early going.
“She’s an outstanding ball player,” her coach said.
Down low, she’s matched by Kim Wilson who provides the Saints’ best rebounding presence.
The team lost senior point guard Jennifer Mayo over the summer to a knee injury, but junior guard Ashley Green has stepped in to lead.
“She’s a little wiz kid,” Harris said. “She can get the job done.”
In the Saints’ three-guard offense, sophomore Shameka Simpson is also playing well.
“They have surprised me,” the coach said of his team. “They can shoot the ball well and we’ve got some young ladies that handle the ball better than some guys.
They’re easy to coach.”
Still, not everything’s rosy for the Lady Saints the rest of the way.
They play in an extremely tough area and Harris wonders if Wilson has enough help in the front court.
“It’s going to depend on our front court people,” Harris said. “In our back court, I believe we can match up with anybody in the state.”
Harris praised his bench and the depth they provide.
Erica Lumpkin has been playing well according to the coach.
Martina West and Amina Wofford have seen some quality playing time.
Kesee Dozier helps Wilson out in the front court.
Tyesha Jones
gives the Saints a defensive lift off the bench. Erica Minor, Jasmine Yates, Jorielle Scott, Memendra Page, Venecia Eaton and Kemeka Wilson all will give the Saints a lift as the season progresses.
With their goals firmly set on big things, Harris says so far they’re on course.
“They’ve met the challenge, so far,” he said. “They work hard everyday for me.
We’re trying to keep focused, just keep trucking.”